By Brad Doskocil
The Bible has a lot to say about the importance of a virtue called patience. The words patient and patiently occur fourteen times in twelve verses in the Bible. We are to “wait patiently for Him” (Ps 37:7; 40:1; Eccles 7:8). We are to be “patient in tribulation” (Rom 12:12; cf. Heb 6:15; Jas 5:7-8; 1 Pet 2:20) and “patient with all” (1 Thess 5:14). One of the requirements for a servant of the Lord is that he must be patient (2 Tim 2:24).
Are we patiently waiting for His blessings both in this life and in the life to come?
The word patience occurs twice in the OT and twenty-three times in the NT. God has patience toward us (Rom 15:5; 2 Thess 3:5). The testing of our faith produces patience (Jas 1:3-4). Patience is a crucial element in our sanctification (e.g., 2 Cor 6:4; 2 Thess 1:4; 1 Tim 6:11; Heb 6:12; Jas 5:10).
James said that patience is needed as we await the Lord’s soon return so that we might hear His “Well done, good servant” (Jas 5:7-8; note v 9, “the Judge is standing at the door”).
I was in the hospital for over two weeks. To be a patient in the hospital requires patience (pun intended)! It was Easter Sunday when I wrote this article, and I’d been a patient in the hospital for ten days. (I spent a total of seventeen days in the hospital). Nothing in a hospital happens quickly. Things take time.
I ended up having a toe amputated and struggling with two major infections that threatened my foot.
There is no question that I wanted to leave the hospital and go home. However, being discharged prematurely would have hindered the healing process and could have led to further loss.
When God wants to teach His children to exhibit certain traits, He provides opportunities. He tests us. If believers are to exhibit love, kindness, mercy, compassion, or patience, God puts opportunities in our paths to see whether we will manifest those qualities. When we respond well to these tests, good things happen.
Fortunately, waiting for the lab process to work resulted in better medical treatment. It was a reward for being a patient patient (pun intended)!
Abraham was an example to us all as he patiently waited for God to fulfill His promises (Heb 6:15).
We have the example of the patience of farmers who work hard, knowing that harvest time is coming (2 Tim 2:6). We, too, know that harvest time is coming with the soon return of Christ (2 Tim 4:6-8).
God wants to bless His children. Are we patiently waiting for His blessings both in this life and in the life to come?
____________________
Brad Doskocil is a CPA in Long Beach, CA, and the Chairman of the GES Board.
